Fredy Montero named MLS Player of the Week

Behind his standout, two-goal effort in Sunday’s 3-2 road win against Portland, Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero has been voted MLS Player of the Week.

It is the third time the designated player has won the award. Most recently he earned it in Week 22 last year, when he scored both goals in a 2-1 home win against the Chicago Fire.

Montero has also been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week for a stunning, second-half free kick Sunday that tied the score at 1-1 in the 57th minute.

Seattle has earned PoTW honors once before this season when defender Jeff Parke won in Week 10.

Reporters caught up with Montero for an interview (in English) after training.

* * *

(Thoughts on getting MLS Player of the Week?) “It feels good. I’m very happy. It’s a good feeling by me, by the team. We have three points in our pocket and we’re looking forward for first place now.”

(Credit the haircut for the two-goal performance?) “No. (laughs) I don’t think so. When you score two goals you will look for some reason, but for me this is not one of them.”

(Was it putting in extra work?) “Extra work. Confidence from my teammates and coaches. I’m going to keep working hard.”

(Forwards are so often judged by goals. How do you keep confident when they’re not coming?) “I mean it’s not that easy. You have to keep working. You have to shoot on goal. If you want to score you have to keep shooting on goal and that’s it. For me, the difference in this game was they went into the net.”